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Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - Page 38 - The Herald, Barossa Valley www.barossa.yourguide.com.au barossaherald@ruralpress.com Central District Football Club supports BL&G Football SPORTS FOLLOWING in his brother's footsteps, Matthew Westhoff made his AFL debut for Port Adelaide in the round 20 Friday night match against Collingwood at AAMI Stadium. Not quite as dynamic as his elder brother Justin in his debut match, Matthew collected seven possessions and kicked a goal. "Matthew handled the pace and intensity reasonably well and we were happy with his ability to get space on opponents," Port Adelaide development coach Darren Trevena said. "He took a couple of nice marks and showed he is capable of playing at this level. This year we are working on his marking strength and his ability to concentrate for a full game." Unfortunately the Power went down the magpies by 31 points. Meanwhile the news isn't good for the oldest Westhoff sibling, Leigh. After making the SANFL state squad earlier this year, but now missing for over a month, Leigh needs to see a specialist after it has been suggested he has arthritis in his foot. Lee departs Football journeyman Scott Lee will not be coaching Nuriootpa next year. Lee informed the playing group last Thursday night he will not be seeking reappointment next season. After successful stints with Hawthorn, the Adelaide Crows and Central District, the outstanding player has decided to take a break. "With a young family and four children between five and 15, all being involved in their own sporting pursuits, it is time to put them first," Lee said. 'My wife Carole is also working currently and with opportunities arising personally in my work situation, I am unable to commit to the club any further." Nuriootpa president Peter Rosenberg confirmed Lee's decision not to continue. "Scott has been married for 18 years and in all of that time his wife has made a lot of sacrifices so that he can be involved with football," Rosenberg confirmed. "He is now going to make some sacrifices for his wife - he will also spend more time watching his four children and their sport." Lee did say that he didn't enjoy coaching as much as he did playing and was frustrated with club's lack of success over his three years in charge. Nuriootpa reacted positively to the announcement engineering a win and finishing Willaston's hopes of finals participation in 2008. Volunteer retires After 11 year of service, 84-year-old Norm Traeger is retiring. One of the unsung heroes of the South Gawler football club, Traeger has been the gatekeeper at Eldred Riggs Reserve since 1997. His smiling face and kind demeanour have been greeting players and supporters for more than a decade and people like him are the heart and soul of any club. Congratulations Norm on a job well done. Underage changes At a special meeting of the South Australian Football Commission last Thursday , the decision was made to implement the key recommendation to change the structure the SANFL underage competition from the start of next season. The SANFL will dispense with the existing under 19 and under 17 competitions and establish an elite under 18 competition and a condensed under 16 competition. They are also establishing "centres of excellence" at all league Clubs, along with metropolitan and country academy programs. "The new elite-focused under 18 competition, underpinned by the centres of excellence, aims to shore up our status as a football heartland and to re-energise football in this state." said SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker It should be noted the Central District football club is completely against the structure change. "We believe there will be a slow dilution of numbers coming into our club which will effect the development of players through the SANFL system," CDFC president Tom Zorich. Four times premiership player Yves Sibenaler, from South Gawler, is one of the many Central players who may have missed opportunities at the club, under the next structure. RETIRING: South Gawler gatekeeper Norm Traeger who is shutting the gate. WILLASTON will have removed the Nuriootpa from their Christmas card list after succumbing once again to the Tigers' disciplined game plan, this time by 28 points at Nuriootpa. It was the second time this season the lowly- placed Tigers have downed Willaston and both losses helped keep the Donnybrooks out of the 2008 finals. Up to half time the game was very tight with neither team able to stamp any clear authority, however Nuriootpa looked the more dangerous with their superior possession count and could have been further ahead but for some poor kicking including some posters. In the second half the Tigers took control of the game. Nuri had a greater number of players able to cope with the wet conditions than Willaston. The Donnybrooks only goal in the decisive third quarter came from a free kick and that was the only time they got within scoring range. Nuri had all the play and only some tenacious Donnybrook defence kept the Tigers to three majors. Ryan Skipworth driving off half back plus Matt Cragg-Sapsford controlling the ruck contests were major factors in the Tigers taking control. The wear and tear was beginning to show on Willaston as Shaun Baker and Chris McLean tried hard, but couldn't exert enough control on the game. Matt Brooks was also winning plenty of possession as was Lee Coghill but was forced to come a long way from the goalfront for them. If best afield on wet days was handed to the muddiest, then veteran Chris Gerhardy would have got the nod. He got it anyway with a typical in and under display. His ability to find a target from within the scrimmages and contests always presents a danger to opponents, but on a wet day, like last Saturday, it becomes even more deadly. Ruckman Matt Cragg-Sapsford enhanced his chances for the Schluter medal and defender Ryan Skipworth's long raking disposals broke the lines for the Tigers. Billy Nicholls, Gregg Falkenberg and Shawn Gibson were effective in the midfield, an area where they came up against the Donnybrook's best. Current Schluter medallist Shaun Baker played courageously and determinedly for the Donnybrooks, but quite often lacked support. Baker took a huge knock in the last quarter and with the season over could have been excused if he stayed in the dugout. He came back on and played a real captain's effort. Matthew Brooks, Lee Coghill, Chris McLean, Michael Chomik and Trent Rozman all worked hard. - Keith Jamieson Nuri foil Willaston FOOTBALL umpires Phil Fechner and Peter Mitchell will whistle their last game together on Saturday. The pair will be in charge of the Nuriootpa - Tanunda clash at Nuriootpa. Mitchell is leaving the association next year. "Both Pete and Phil have been great servants to the BL&G and great mates along the way," said current umpires coach Peter Dunstan. Mitchell commenced with the BL&GUA in 1994 and has umpired 338 games over 15 seasons. He has served in administration roles, being president for two years (1997-98), co- coach between 2003 and 2005, along with sponsoring the junior panel for a decade and working on the committee for eight years. Among Mitchell's highlights were four junior grand finals, along numerous senior and junior minor finals. He also officiated in the Mid Murray A grade grand final in 2002 with Fechner. He is expected to continue umpiring on the Yorke Peninsula next year. After playing football for Tanunda, Phil Fechner started umpiring with BL&G in 1991. Saturday's game at Nuriootpa will also be Fechner's 400th game of BL&G football umpiring over a 17- year tenure. His fulfilling career has including five A grade grand finals, with another highlight being the official in the zone championship grand final at AAMI Stadium in 1999. He also won the umpires 'Magarey', the Golden Whistle in that year. Fechner has umpired grand finals in three different associations (BL&G, Mid-Murray and NEFL), is a life member of BL&G Umpires Association and was a committee member for 10 years, along with coaching for three years with his buddy, Mitchell. By Peter Mitchell Phil Fechner Last whistle Central's narrow win GAWLER Central and Kapunda are confirmed as the finalists playing in the 2008 first semi-final at South Gawler in a fortnight. If their clash in the penultimate minor round game last Saturday at Gawler Oval is any indicator it should be a terrific contest. Scattered showers hindered play at times, however spectators got an honest physical contest with good skills on display especially in the first half when they managed 17 goals between them. After half-time only four goals were scored as more slippery patches appeared and the ball became heavier. Kapunda's minimal lead at the big change could have been much more significant, however late goals to the Tigers in the second quarter proved invaluable. Kapunda have the bye next week and it will be interesting to see how the rest impacts on the first semi. Central play Willaston, who despite having nothing but pride to play for will give their old rivals a tough workout. Gawler Central's ability to punish Kapunda on the turnover or errors close to goal was also a major part of their win. Two of Scott Hahn's five goals came from defensive errors. Hahn's teaming with Brendon Niklaus produced eight goals and was always a looming danger. The Tigers were also good at the clearances, the combination of Luke Howard palming to Brad Taylor a feature of the game. Wingman Clint Hill had plenty of possession. Midfielders Paul Bova, Cameron Wilson, Jake Asher and Michael Aghan featured in assigned roles. Kapunda's best was Brad Valentine who was given a free rein by coach Damien Prouse and accumulated many possessions. The conditions suited Sam Ryan, Adam and Andrew Turrell who with their body strength and disposal skills gave Central some problems. Nathan Brady and Brad Taylor were also up in the list. DOG TRACK: No more evidence is needed why they call Gawler Central's home ground the 'dog track'. On Saturday Central's Casey Thomas found out first hand. Kapunda's Michael Kerr was ready to lend his opponent a hand. PIC: Peter Argent By